Research III - Good Armour Books

[Scorpiоn]

Exactly that, what is a good book on World War II armour?  I kind of need everything on tanks from America, Britain, Germany, Japan, Russia and for good measure, Italy.  I kind of need a crash course in World War II vehicles, however I do only need to concern myself with the most widely used or most important types.  Before anyone asks, all this research is for a game (Command and Conquer: Generals), if I haven't said it before.  While I of course want it to be somewhat accurate, I also want to make it entertaining.  Like seeing a T-54 just run over a jeep, not even bothering to fire at it. Don't get grossed out though, you're in 3rd person view (looking down at the battlefield), spared of all the details (If you wanted that you'd watch Saving Private Ryan).  Anyway, to give you an idea of what I'm looking for, this is what I have planned for the US (European) so far.

• Aircraft
  
  • Fighter: P-51 Mustang
  • Tactical Support: P-47
• Armour
  
  • M4 Sherman as main tank
  • M3 Grant/Lee as early tank (mostly because it has two guns)
  • Jeep as medical, cargo, support etc.
• Infantry
  
  • Only Bazooka team so far

Keep in mind this list is largely influenced by the one book on tanks I read recently.  My main problem, is libraries (at least around here) don't have anything specialized in anything, and what they do have you never know how long you can keep.  I'd like to buy a book, but I looking around at sites, I figure most reviews are biased/trying to get you to buy it.

[Wing Nut]

Without a doubt...

Jane's Armour and Artillery

http://catalog.janes.com/catalog/public ... duct_id=92

[Professor Brensec]

Scorpion,

I have, in years gone, been a pretty avid reader of novels and non-fiction, educational or whatever. I find myself these days, when I have a need for info. You can't go past the Net.

You could buy (or borrow from the library) four or five books that might each deal with 10% of the sort of thing you're looking for, and you would still be left wanting.

Go on the Net and you can generally print whatever you like (for your own use) and have unlimited resources and sources and time.

That would be my advice.

I'm currently (almost ready to kick off) starting a business on the Net dealing with Medical info and educational material about different conditions etc. I use books and I use my own gathered knowledge over the years, but to be honest, I wouldn't be able to do it without the Net as my major source of info. Of course, for my pupose, I have to be careful and respect copyright etc, but for your purpose, this isn't an issue.  ;D

[Scorpiоn]

Thanks Pippin, I'll check it out.

The problem is, Brensec, is that I'm not as skilled as Hagar is with Google. I usually get sites that only repeat each other, no one seems to look this up for themselves.  Example, a while back while trying to get detailed info of the Komet (Me. 163) all I could get were sites with about a paragraph of information, and then specs of the Me. 163B-1.  All the paragraphs said almost exactly the same thing, give or take a few words.  The only site that was really of any use is this site, but this site has kind of poor organisation (excellent content though).  Plus, my mom considers any computer activity playing.  I swear, I'm living in the U.S.S.R! Anytime I'm sitting in front of the magic box, she says, "Que estas jugando ahora?"  If the spelling wrong, sue me.

[Scorpiоn]

What!  Are you kidding!  I must have gone blind! $630 for a book!  Is this right?

[Scorpiоn]

Anybody?

[Wing Nut]

Yes, Jane's is expensive.  However, they are THE source for information about any armored vehicle, airplane, ship, rifle, slingshot, blowgun, spitwad straw in the world.  They have been since around 1920.  You can get a used copy for around $100 or even cheaper if the bookstore doesn't know what it is.  I have a copy of Jane's 'All the World's Aircraft' from 1945 that is a blast to just sit down and browse through.  Janes is not designed for flight simmers sitting in front of their computer.  Jane's is designed for defense ministers and Generals.  :)

[Scorpiоn]

Ooh!  I could be reading what General Pyongyang* is reading? Better go to Half Price Books then.  Realistically, seeing what my options were on Barnes and Nobles were, I think I'll just use On War.  Very good for specs.  Okay, fine.  Looks like it's Brensec: 1, Scorpion: 0. What are some good sites for familiarizing myself with dubya dubya two tanks?  Kind of article like.  Example: My aircraft book is great to me, because I could tell you what the P-51D is.  When I see M3 Lee, I have no idea how important that tank was.  My entire armoured vehicle education of World War II consists of: Jeeps and Shermans were essential to America. There you have it.

*This is just the first Chinese name that came to me(Other than Wehl Hung ) so if it is actually somebody, well sue me! Although it does sound familiar.  I just had a brain fart, so don't pull any trivia on me.

[Wing Nut]

Except that PyongYang isn't Chinese.  It's the capital of North Korea!

Go to the library and they'll have a copy of the latest version in their reference section.  I can't tell you how many planes I've researched over the years sitting in one of those hard wooden chairs...

[Scorpiоn]

Like I said, brainfart. I'll see what the local library has, although I doubt it's much, if anything. :-/